While an attack of this size has so far been a one-off there are hundreds if not thousands of people around the globe who are making millions of pounds every year by hiring out the networks of zombie computers known as botnets which carry out these attacks.
"Making money with a botnet is easier than brushing your teeth," an unnamed hacker told Robert Hansen, Director of Product Management at WhiteHat Security, as reported in his two-part interview. The hacker said it amazed him he was able to make as much money as the average monthly industrial wage in a few hours typing on a laptop while watching TV.